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Multiple-Meaning Words

A multiple-meaning word is spelled and said the same way but means different things: a bat flies at night, and you hit a ball with a bat. Context is the only clue, which is why these words are such good reading practice.

Here are 124 multiple-meaning words from past ClueBy puzzles, each with a real example sentence for every meaning. Use them as a reference, or make a printable worksheet below.

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Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

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Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. He works in a ________________ mill.
  2. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  3. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  4. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  5. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  6. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  7. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  8. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  9. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  10. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  11. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  12. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  13. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  14. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  15. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  16. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  17. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  18. When was this ________________ built?
  19. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  20. She's very handy with a ________________.
  21. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  22. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  23. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  24. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com

Answer key

  1. saw — the tool
  2. can — a tin
  3. track — a path
  4. leaves — of a tree
  5. patient — a sick person
  6. patient — calm and waiting
  7. track — a song
  8. can — to be able to
  9. track — to keep track
  10. staff — employees
  11. board — a flat piece
  12. board — to get on
  13. leaves — lets stay
  14. leaves — to go away
  15. board — a committee
  16. staff — a stick
  17. temple — a place of worship
  18. temple — a place of worship
  19. patient — a sick person
  20. saw — the tool
  21. saw — past of 'see'
  22. staff — employees
  23. can — a tin
  24. temple — side of the head

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

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Frequently asked questions

What are multiple-meaning words?

Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but more than one meaning, like bark (of a dog or of a tree) or bank (for money or of a river). You can only tell which meaning is meant from the rest of the sentence.

Are multiple-meaning words the same as homonyms?

Mostly, yes. Teachers often use "multiple-meaning words" and "homonyms" for the same idea. Homophones are different: they sound alike but are spelled differently, like flour and flower.

Are the worksheets free?

Yes. Make and print as many as you like for home or classroom use. Each sheet has its own link, so you can print the same one again.

Where do the words come from?

From past ClueBy puzzles, a daily game where you sort twelve sentences by their missing word. A new puzzle every day adds four more words to this list.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com